Medical council de-recognises MAMC radiotherapy course

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has de-recognised the radiotherapy course at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) after it discovered that none of the radiotherapy machines — a must for hands-on training — in the college have been working for the past two years. Jaya Shroff Bhalla reports.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has de-recognised the radiotherapy course at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) after it discovered that none of the radiotherapy machines — a must for hands-on training — in the college have been working for the past two years.

MAMC is the only Delhi University-affiliated medical college offering post-graduation in radiotherapy, which uses high energy X-rays and similar rays to destroy cancer cells. It has been offering a PG degree for the past 25 years.

"The students got no practical training as none of the equipment works. Over the last few years, at least six students have done their post-graduation without hands-on training on these highly sophisticated machines. Without training, these specialists are as good as quacks who will put patients' lives at risk," said a faculty member on condition of anonymity.

"Radiotherapy is nothing but treatment given using these machines and untrained doctors will only harm the patient," said an oncologist from AIIMS. "The MCI is justified in cancelling their licence to teach," he said.

"MCI has asked us to work on our shortcomings as a result of which DU has not advertised for seats this year," said Dr A K Aggarwal, dean, MAMC.

"The MCI had issues about our infrastructure and equipment. We have a tall challenge ahead of us and are working to overcome it," he said, adding that the college will be in a position to get the course re-recognised by the next academic session.

Till then, the future of the six students undergoing training at present is uncertain.

"These six students should not have a problem in getting their degree as the course was recognised at the time of their enrollment. But DU cannot offer new seats until the MCI certifies that the department meets the required teaching standards," said an official of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, DU.